Western Sahara Resource Watch, an international NGO whose aim is to ensure the proper application of international justice to the Western Sahara, wishes to convey the following:

1. The relevant organs of the United Nations have been concerned with the matter of the Western Sahara for several decades. The General Assembly, in the discharge of its responsibilities, has maintained consistently since 1966 (Resolution 2229) that the original peoples of Western Sahara have the right to self-determination. The Security Council, consistently since 1988 (Resolution 621), wishing to safeguard the peace and security of the Western Sahara, has insisted on the necessity of carrying out a referendum for self-determination by the Saharawi people. The International Court of Justice has stated in its Advisory Opinion of 16 October 1975 on the Western Sahara that the right to self-determination by the original peoples of the Sahara is not in doubt in any way.

2. Western Sahara Resource Watch draws the attention of members of the Security Council to the fact that the exploitation of the natural resources of the Western Sahara is being carried out in contravention of relevant international legal principles, including those reflected in the resolutions of the UN General Assembly (including resolutions 62/120 and 63/111) and Article 1 of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both ratified by the Kingdom of Morocco. As established with great clarity by the UN Legal Counsel in 2002: ‘…if further exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the wishes and interests of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the principles of international law applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories.’

3. The illegal exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara has as one its aims the consolidation of the military occupation and illegal colonization of Western Sahara by the Kingdom of Morocco. Not only are the proceeds of such activities used to finance an illegal military presence, but new immigrants are brought in by the Kingdom of Morocco to service this exploitation, thus producing social and economic conflicts that are putting at risk the peace and security of the territory. The incidents of 21 July 2008 in the region of Dajla (formerly Villa Cisneros), where the Moroccan settlers attacked the few Saharauis employed in the fishing industry, represent a cause for alarm that should be carefully noted. For the above reasons, Western Sahara Resource Watch requests that the Security Council, in its resolution next week, call an immediate halt to all natural resource exploration and exploitation activities undertaken by the Kingdom of Morocco and other foreign interests in contravention of the principles of international law.

Morocco occupies the major part of its neighbouring country, Western Sahara. Entering into business deals with Moroccan companies or authorities in the occupied territories gives an impression of political legitimacy to the occupation. It also gives job opportunities to Moroccan settlers and income to the Moroccan government. Western Sahara Resource Watch demands foreign companies leave Western Sahara until a solution to the conflict is found.

At COP22, beware of what you read about Morocco’s renewable energy efforts. An increasing part of the projects take place in the occupied territory of Western Sahara and is used for mineral plunder, new WSRW report documents.

Big oil’s interest in occupied Western Sahara has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Some companies are now drilling, in complete disregard of international law and the Saharawi people’s rights. Here’s what you need to know.